DARE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

DARE makes a difference The Post-Gazette published an Associated Press
story about the Pennsylvania DARE Officers Association's mismanagement of
grant money from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and
the ongoing criminal investigation into the former PCCD crime prevention
manager ("Pa. Police Anti-Drug Program Must Return Mishandled Funds," June
3). These situations are unfortunate, but they should not reflect on the
DARE program or the hundreds of Pennsylvania police officers who are trying
to make a difference in their communities by teaching DARE in elementary,
middle and high schools.

A PCCD study in 1999 showed that DARE overall produces positive results for
a small amount of money -- about $12 per student. The study revealed that
ninth-grade students who participated in DARE or drug prevention programs
when they were in elementary school were significantly less likely to have
tried drugs or to anticipate trying them in the future. Recognizing that
substance abuse education is no different than math or science education,
PCCD began encouraging schools to offer DARE in the higher grade levels,
where peer pressure is greatest. If we want kids to remember it, we must
teach it frequently.

Since 1997, PCCD has certified more than 140 police officers to teach a
secondary DARE curriculum in middle and high schools, and we look forward
to the enhanced DARE curriculum that is being tested by the national DARE
organization in several U.S. cities right now.

In addition to teaching children to resist illegal substances, having a
DARE officer in a classroom teaches children respect for law enforcement
and gives them another caring adult in their lives. Kids look to their DARE
officer as a role model and mentor.

DARE is not a cure-all, nor is it a substitute for parents talking to their
kids about substance abuse.

Our hope is, with consistent messages from their families, teachers, the
community and DARE, young people will have the courage to say no when
confronted with a dangerous situation.

TOM CORBETT Chairman Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
Harrisburg